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Author
Topic: Dayummmm Syphilis (Read 84071 times)

The RPR test does not actual test for Syphillis directly. There are also many things that can cause false positives and false negatives.Your doctor should confirm with a direct antigen assay. One is a VDRL but there are others.

Dayuuuuuummmmm syphilis!!!So, the results of my latest RPR were just emailed to me by my ID doc. The titer is still 1:8 (it didn't go up or down from the last reading). I see her next Monday, 8/8. From the looks of things and sound of her email - she will be ordering an LP (lumbar puncture) for sometime next week. She is leaning towards it being late latent / neurosyphilis. Which, if confirmed by the LP, will mean approx. 10 days in the hospital starting around 8/15....

She said she wish she had known that when I was originally treated back around 6 years ago that I actually had experienced hearing loss (which came back after treatment) - because she said the doc at that time should have ordered a LP (even though I wasn't HIV+ back then)..... but the past is the past - so, we move forward.

Should have a better idea of exactly what is going on after I see her next Monday. Ugggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!

-Phil (who wishes they had a better way of diagnosing neurosyph other than puncturing my spine with a needle)

Thanks Tim -I'm gonna check w/ doc and see if they do have to do the LP if they can admit me overnight - but, I think it will be a "no" as they pretty much do it as an outpatient procedure. My biggest concern is that the hospital/clinic is about 10 miles from home which means the ride back and I don't want to incur that post LP headache that I have heard about by having to be upright when coming back in the car (as everyone has said that you basically need to lie in a horizontal position for some time after having the LP). I don't deal well with headaches.....

I'm gonna check w/ doc and see if they do have to do the LP if they can admit me overnight

Hmmm.Well all you can do is ask. Mine was done while in the hospital so I cant really comment on the outpatient type, maybe someone who's had the outpatient will come along and comment. Although I am sure the docs have ways for you to avoid the spinal headache in that situation otherwise they wouldnt do them outpatient.

But the LP itself is a cakewalk, of course I was jacked up on Dilaudid which helped

Thanks Jan -I'm sure that I will be okay - just get myself worked up a bit when it comes to certain medical procedures. It took me forever to get okay with getting labs done -- well, actuallly after the first time (when they took 16 tubes) I pretty much was forced to get used to it.

I plan on seeing if the doc will allow me to take some type of anti-anxiety pill before the procedure --- of course, any good pain killers after the procedure would be great as well (hell, any great pain killers even if I didn't have the procedure would also be great - )

I'm just gonna have to go with the flow on this - as I have been to date.

I have read caffeine pills can prevent the lb headache, not sure if thats true. I had ruptured a disk in my back a few years ago an had to have several epidurals in my lower spine. While not exactly fun they were not painfull. Im not sure hpw that compares to a lumbar puncture.

Again, just sorry to hear about this, I hope it comes off without a hitch.

I have read caffeine pills can prevent the lb headache, not sure if thats true. I had ruptured a disk in my back a few years ago an had to have several epidurals in my lower spine. While not exactly fun they were not painfull. Im not sure hpw that compares to a lumbar puncture.

Again, just sorry to hear about this, I hope it comes off without a hitch.

Thanks bug -I think I also heard somewhere that caffeine helps prevent the headaches - I may have to try that (I'll also check w/ doc and see if it is something that can help). Those who have had lumbar punctures have said that overall the actual procedure isn't too bad - but those who have gotten the post LP headache said it hurts like hell... hoping that I will be one of those who doesn't get one.

Hang in there Phil. I certainly hope you don't get the post LP headache, but even if you do, remember that it's small beans compared to the damage untreated tertiary syphilis can do to you. You're in my thoughts - and I'm sending nasty go-away-vibes to your little bacterial bastards. That'll teach 'em!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

The worse part is that over the past few weeks I have been having increasing muscle pain, fatigue, and have had a noticeable decrease in some cognitive functioning (my job involves a lot of typing - as do responses on the forums) and I have found myself misspelling more words, leaving out complete words, incomplete sentences, etc.

Then, over the past two weeks I have been experiencing tightness/pain in my chest - not extreme pain, more irritating muscule tightness type of pain (then Matty throws in the cardio-syph, which hadn't even occurred to me - in addition to the neuro-syph)

So, now I am beginning to sound like I belong in the I AM section ------ perhaps, I AM SYPHILLIS? I AM NEURO-SYPH (which kind of sounds like a super hero) or I AM CARDIO-SYPH (which makes me sound real buff)....

Edited because that should be "...I belong in the AM I section, not I AM - although that kind of fit too --- BTW, did I tell you I have been experiencing cognitive issues?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

The worse part is that over the past few weeks I have been having increasing muscle pain, fatigue, and have had a noticeable decrease in some cognitive functioning (my job involves a lot of typing - as do responses on the forums) and I have found myself misspelling more words, leaving out complete words, incomplete sentences, etc.

Then, over the past two weeks I have been experiencing tightness/pain in my chest - not extreme pain, more irritating muscule tightness type of pain (then Matty throws in the cardio-syph, which hadn't even occurred to me - in addition to the neuro-syph)

So, now I am beginning to sound like I belong in the I AM section ------ perhaps, I AM SYPHILLIS? I AM NEURO-SYPH (which kind of sounds like a super hero) or I AM CARDIO-SYPH (which makes me sound real buff)....

Edited because that should be "...I belong in the AM I section, not I AM - although that kind of fit too --- BTW, did I tell you I have been experiencing cognitive issues?

If it helps Phil, those things are not really the symptoms seen with neurosyphilis or cardiovascular syphilis. It's way more than likely that what you're describing is anxiety related and has nothing to do (directly) with syphilis.

Just get yourself tested and treated. It's (probably) gonna be unpleasant but it will work out just fine.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

If it helps Phil, those things are not really the symptoms seen with neurosyphilis or cardiovascular syphilis. It's way more than likely that what you're describing is anxiety related and has nothing to do (directly) with syphilis.

Just get yourself tested and treated. It's (probably) gonna be unpleasant but it will work out just fine.

MtD

Thanks Matty - Why would you think it is anxiety related? I mean I don't seem anxious, do I? I mean, anxious me? Naw, I can't be anxious..... could I? I mean, I don't think I am, doesn't seem to be.... or, well, maybe, I mean, possibly, I mean on the surface perhaps, but then again.... anxiety? wow, I don't know, I mean, I guess, I suppose, I mean, I have been hyperventilating... but, you know, I don't know, I guess, well, If I look at it from a different perspective, I mean, I have been kind of - well, I don't know, possibly a little, but then again - how does anxiety look, how does it feel - what does an anxious person do? I seem to remember, no maybe I don't remember, but, then again, I might remember.... anxious? naw, can't be...

Thanks Matty - Why would you think it is anxiety related? I mean I don't seem anxious, do I? I mean, anxious me? Naw, I can't be anxious..... could I? I mean, I don't think I am, doesn't seem to be.... or, well, maybe, I mean, possibly, I mean on the surface perhaps, but then again.... anxiety? wow, I don't know, I mean, I guess, I suppose, I mean, I have been hyperventilating... but, you know, I don't know, I guess, well, If I look at it from a different perspective, I mean, I have been kind of - well, I don't know, possibly a little, but then again - how does anxiety look, how does it feel - what does an anxious person do? I seem to remember, no maybe I don't remember, but, then again, I might remember.... anxious? naw, can't be...

I've already lined you up to deliver mass on South Beach this Sunday; working on booking you for Easter prayer at the Kabbala temple in Las Vegas; and may have an in to replace Christmas worship services normally delivered by the Pope at the Vatican with you.

I'm doing all this in the hopes that people will start seeing images of Matty on toasts and that your prayers for Ms. P's feet and Phild's syphilis will be answered:

I've already lined you up to deliver mass on South Beach this Sunday; working on booking you for Easter prayer at the Kabbala temple in Las Vegas; and may have an in to replace Christmas worship services normally delivered by the Pope at the Vatican with you.

I'm doing all this in the hopes that people will start seeing your images of Matty on toasts and that your prayers for Ms. P's feet and Phild's syphilis will be answered:

Oh Lord son, you're not a Cathylick are you?

If you are, we might as well stamp your coffin "Straight To Hell" right now and be done with it.

Coz Cathylicks ain't Christians. They're idol worshippers and no amount of genuflecting and ring kissing is gonna save them from the firey reward Jesus is stoking up for them as we speak.

Now I know what you're gonna say "Cathylicks are Christians! We're the original Christians!" but that just ain't true because the boy buggers don't follow Jesus.

Anyone who has read his King James Version 1611 Bible will know that Mary is the Diana Ross of the Cathylick religion and Jesus is just one of the Supremes to those sad and misguided folks.

I remember years ago watching the news on my new fangled color television receiver set and seeing one of those Cathylick popes standing at a winder balcony (Pope John Paul George and Ringo I think it was) waving to a crowd of hell bound Italians like some palsied drunk hailing a cab.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Naw, phild is FAR from Cathylick -the whole sit, kneel, pray thing was much too hard on my legs ----Now, the "get on your knees and stay there" thing - well, I have that one mastered

Which I guess could still work at certain seminary schools.

HELPFUL TIP:

A Pentycostal are ya? Well that's a step in the right direction.

But of course provided you're not a Oneness Pentycostal. Those folks are as sure to end up roasting in the Lake of Fire with the Mary Worshippers along with Anna Nicole Smith and a mess of Norwegian socialist youth.

Of course Trinitarian Pentycostals might have a chance at salvation, but you'd be well advised to put the rattlesnakes down and stop swinging from the chandeliers during church services.

The LORD doesn't take kindly to those who try to outshine him on the Sabbath.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts